Tempe – Five Sun Devil hockey skaters have signed professional contracts within a month of the end of the 2023-24 season. Matthew Koperud, Tyler Gratton, brian chambers, Brandon Tabakinand alex young All signed professional contracts within the American Hockey League (AHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
Copperud will play for the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, an affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders, and Gratton will play for the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms, an NHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Chambers and Young will head to the ECHL for the Kalamazoo Wings and Adirondack Thunder, respectively. Brandon Tabakin He signed with the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers in early March. The organization has since disbanded and Tabakin is now an unrestricted free agent.
A true 4-year Sun Devil, vice captain Matthew Koperud Bringing his offensive talents to the AHL. Copperud finished his impressive career in the desert with 64 goals over four seasons, including 42 on the power play. In his final season at Arizona State, Copperud etched his name in the record books. He broke the record for most power play goals scored in a single season with 17, and the record for most power play goals scored in a career with 42. He also holds the fourth place in the NCAA record books as the all-time power play goal scorer. In the 2023-24 season, he had 23 goals and 13 assists, leading the NCAA in power-play goals and game-winning goals scored throughout the regular season.
One of the most prolific scorers in ASU history??
To the power play king @AHLIslanders #sundevilforlife /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/U9GoekvFjb
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 20, 2024
Although the three graduates only wore maroon and gold for one year, their time at ASU was memorable. Gratton was unanimously chosen team captain in the preseason and played in all but two games this season, recording 12 goals and six assists. He also became the eighth player in program history to score a hat trick on Dec. 17, 2023, against Robert Morris, which was the first of his collegiate career. Tabakin led the nation in plus/minus for most of the season and tied for fourth at +26. He played in 36 games and recorded two goals and eight assists. Chambers did not miss a game with the Sun Devils this season. The graduate core had a faceoff winning percentage of .509, 15th in the NCAA, and had four goals and 16 assists.
Congratulations on taking the next step as a hockey player. @gratton_tyler! ?? #sundevilforlife pic.twitter.com/i2JuBc8Xx2
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 18, 2024
Senior alex young After one season with the Sun Devils, he was traded to the Adirondack Thunder. He had six goals and three assists for nine total points in the 2023-24 season, playing in all 36 games for ASU.
Younger than Thunder?
Congratulations on signing your professional contract @Alex12Young! #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/s6XWHlc4cz
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) April 3, 2024
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms currently sit in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 25 wins and 24 losses. Gratton will return to his home state of Pennsylvania, as the team resides in Allentown. Bridgeport is 34-30 and ranks just behind Lehigh Valley in the rankings. Kalamazoo sits in seventh place in the Western Conference with 32 wins and 25 losses.
The five skaters join a growing list of Sun Devil hockey alumni to sign professional contracts. Click here to see all Pro Devils.
